Carlsberg Vietnam - Sustainability is the only way forward

Huda donated VND1 billion to quickly address the urgent needs of Central Vietnam’s citizens during COVID-19

Throughout years of helping people in need, Carlsberg has brought to life numerous societal and humanitarian projects. Now, the brewer is answering the call for action by quickly responding to the urgent needs of local communities affected by COVID-19.

Earlier this August, Carlsberg’s keystone brand Huda donated VND1 billion ($43,480) to strengthen COVID-19 control measures and accelerate vaccination in its heartland. The donation was presented to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Thua Thien-Hue for distribution. In October, Carlsberg Vietnam made another contribution to assist frontliners in Hanoi in timely addressing the recent outbreak in the capital.

These donations are by no means the first for Carlsberg in the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam. Over the course of the past two years, thousands of care packages were given to disadvantaged households to keep them safe and sound amid the turmoil.

The well-being of locals is a priority for Carlsberg, come rain or shine. For years now, Carlsberg has been working closely with local authorities and television stations in central provinces under the “Love Connection” programme and Huda’s annual Lunar New Year gift-giving programme to breathe joy into the lives of underprivileged families.

These timely and practical contributions have affirmed Carlsberg’s human-centric heritage and unwavering devotion to local citizens through ups and downs. Carlsberg and Huda proudly stand with Central Vietnam to form a close-knit, vibrant community.

Encouraging consumers to “Drink golden beer and take care of the silver ocean”, Huda’s Beach Clean-up campaign has mobilised over VND6 billion ($260,870) for coastal communities

Raising the bar with green growth strategy

Carlsberg’s ambition for green growth is woven into the fabric of its long-term strategy. In 2021, this commitment manifested itself in a brand new initiative called Huda’s Beach Clean-up campaign and scaled-up contributions via Carlsberg Vietnam’s 3-year corporate sustainable responsibility (CSR) programme, Fresh Water for Beloved Central.

Kickstarted in July 2021, the Beach Clean-up campaign aims to beautify beaches across six central provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Nam. By reserving VND2,000 (8 US cents) from the sales of each beer pack, Huda encouraged consumers to support the programme. After a single month, a sum of VND6 billion ($260,870) was collected, including over VND5 billion ($217,390) from the sales of more than 2.5 million beer packs and VND1 billion donated by Huda. This has gone into restoring the natural beauty of the homeland’s coastline and installing essential facilities for local communities.

With the five new projects, another 1,600 households were provided with access to clean water

Ensuring water security for safer living

When it comes to bettering the lives of local residents, Fresh Water for Beloved Central is in a league of its own. Now in its third year, Huda’s long-term CSR programme continued this year with five additional projects in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue. Rolled out from April 2021, these projects help alleviate water shortages in the central region, which are often at their peak in the summer and flood season. By upgrading local water facilities, Huda expects to provide sustainable access to clean water to as many households as possible, in hopes of helping them live and grow in a more stable condition.

Over the past two years, Fresh Water for Beloved Central has supported nearly 20,000 residents in the heartland. With the addition of five projects, the CSR programme is expected to improve access to clean water for over 1,600 households more, making sure they are protected against periods of extreme flooding and drought during summertime. Understanding that collective action is the only way forward, Carlsberg has worked with the local authorities along the way to ensure the most timely and effective assistance.

“2020 and the first half of 2021 was a truly transformational period for our business in Vietnam. During this period, we are once again reminded that sustainability starts from the local communities and that helping them thrive is how Carlsberg strides forward. Maintaining our strong history of giving back to society, we have extended our sustainability efforts via Huda’s Beach Clean-up campaign and five additional projects under the Fresh Water for Beloved Central programme in 2021. We hope to accompany our beloved Central citizens in every step of the way with sustainability at our very core,” shared Onno Rombouts, managing director of Carlsberg Vietnam.

Given the complexity of today’s world, society has heightened expectations that business will act as a catalyst for positive change, and Carlsberg is here to deliver just that. Amid the challenges amplified by the biggest health crisis of our time, Carlsberg’s commitment to the sustainable growth of local communities without compromise is solid testament. Moving into a new decade, Carlsberg Vietnam will continue to place sustainability front and centre as the company writes its next chapter.